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“First-timer Shepherd remains true to Austen’s style while providing a sound puzzle. Janeites may be delighted or appalled, but more impartial readers will find much to enjoy.”<br />Kirkus Reviews (starred review)<br /><br /><font size="2">"Mary Crawford, a minor character in MansfieldPark, takes center stage in Shepherd's debut, a clever reworking of the Austen novel that's strong on plot, character, and historical accuracy... While mystery fans will find much to like, it is Austenites who will be most gratified, particularly by how well Shepherd has captured the tone of Austen's original. For anyone who thought Henry Crawford deserved Fanny or who has a problem with vampires and ghouls invading Jane Austen's world, this will be a delight." <br /></font>Publishers Weekly (starred review)<br /><br /><br />"221B Baker Street meets Mansfield Park in this debut Regency whodunit... Faithful to Austen's elegant style without being mawkish, Shepherd's knockoff puts a playful, irreverent twist on a beloved classic. Verdict Some Austen purists will be outraged at the liberties taken with the characters, but others will delight in the changes of the insipid Fanny, who is not one of literature's more popular heroines. Sure to appeal as well to fans of British murder mysteries of the Anne Perry, M.C. Beaton, and Agatha Christie varieties."<br />Library Journal<br /><br />"The language throughout is delightful and lends a particular charm to the novel. Wholly in keeping with the times but I can see that Shepherd is having fun now and again, dragging out perfectly innocent conversations to almost comic proportions. Lovely stuff... There are some nice twists and turns along the way before the whole unhappy and complex story is laid bare before us. And some lives are changed forever. In essence, a rollicking good story."<br />bookbag.co.uk